Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Two of R&B’s most recognizable radio acts of the 1990s and 2000s, Ginuwine and Next, came together at the Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana for a “Spring Fling,” though it was bound to keep fans buzzing and dancing well beyond the season.

That’s because the multi-platinum pair took turns delivering many of their favorites, alongside regular interactions with the sizeable audience, clearly pleasing the Midwest mecca where live music is always an equal priority as the gaming tables and slots.

Ginuwine won the closing slot and immediately tapped into his superstar status via “Hell Yeah,” proving to be just as much of a crowd-pleaser now as it was in the middle of a more than ten million album-selling career.

In fact, all of the singer/songwriter/dancer and actor’s material held up with relevance, including “Same Ol’ G” and “Stingy,” enhanced by the flavorful backing of a gigantic band, who were surrounded by four sensual dancers.

Ginuwine also proved to be quite the ladies’ man, calling all the single ones to the very front, tossing out tons of roses and applying his suave voice towards “In Those Jeans,” “None Of Ur Friends Business,” “Last Chance” and loads of other complete or partial cuts.

Next may have started the double header, but were no less significant thanks to both uptempo grooves and slow burners, spanning a relatively brief yet nonetheless stacked recording career.

Although the trio’s been on and off again due to an array of outside projects, the current chemistry between Robert “R.L.” Huggar, Terry “T-Low” Brown and Raphael “Tweety” Brown, accompanied by a DJ, was apparent from the jump of “Too Close” and “I Still Love You.”

Everyone was given an even closer view when a bit of “Butta Love” was performed in the crowd, while “Wifey” wrapped it all up as another opportunity to soak up Next’s noteworthy harmonies and get behind its commitment to carrying on.

For additional information on Ginuwine and Next, visit Facebook.com/GinuwineOfficial and Facebook.com/TheGroupNext.

Upcoming concert highlights at Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana include Maxwell (Apr. 15); Smokey Robinson (Apr. 28); Diana Ross (May 5); The Killers (May 11); Wayne Newton and Tony Orlando (May 13); Billy Currington (May 19); Kevin Hart (Jun. 10); Kevin James (Jun. 18); Cypress Hill (Jul. 2); Jimmie Allen (Jul. 8); Weezer (Jul. 9); Shinedown (Jul. 21); Deon Cole (Jul. 29) and Styx (Oct. 13). For additional details, visit HardRockCasinoNorthernIndiana.com.

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